Donahue sentenced; 19 years for carjacking incident which injured Pacific Power employee

Wednesday

Dec 18, 2013 at 10:05 AM

David Smithdsmith@siskiyoudaily.com

Sonia Donahue's 19-year state prison sentence was affirmed Tuesday morning, concluding a long and painful process for her victim. Donahue, 40, of Happy Camp, pleaded guilty to a multitude of counts in October stemming from her theft of a Pacific Power vehicle with employee Jim Harkless in the extended bucket. Harkless and assistant district attorney Martha Aker both described the injuries Harkless suffered during the incident, starting with his fall from approximately 30 feet in the air as his work truck was driven away by Donahue. According to the statements, Harkless had fallen from the bucket and was unconscious in the early morning snow before crawling to a nearby residence. He was taken to Fairchild Medical Center before being airlifted to Medford, where he was treated for a fracture in his neck. Harkless was released after a few days, but his recovery effort was slowed after he contracted pneumonia and multiple infections as a result of his surgery. After requiring two additional surgeries, he spent six months in a convalescent home before getting back to his life. District Attorney Kirk Andrus, speaking after the hearing, said the incident is believed to have occurred while Donahue was high on methamphetamines. "This is just another case of a drug-induced action," he said. "And this really, really altered this man's life.""It was just a nightmare" for Harkless and his wife Kim, Aker said. Given an opportunity to speak before the close of the hearing, Donahue said, "I am sorry with all my heart and soul."